no place like home

Left for NJ 12/10 and the adventure was non-stop. This is Quincy (my friend Joan's dog) who made me welcome in my home away from home in North Haledon. It was a whirlwind of girlfriends, dinners out , sister time, hugs, visits back to school, endless glasses of wine, some incredible beer (18 proof Dogfish Head World Wide Stout), beach time with Barbe and Anne, the Endless Vine crowd, Holiday Fair at Union Square in NYC, picture taking on the Wildlife Drive at Brigantine (I took 195 shots) with Bruce, driving by my old house, remembering why I love my friends, a mar-tea-ni party, the Winter Solstice Concert at St. John the Divine's in NYC, Christmas shopping at Woodbury Commons, purchasing an iPad for myself....... and so much more....

the "gong and chime" tree of life at the Winter Solstice Concert

St. John the Divine Cathedral

there were at least a thousand snow geese at the Wildlife Drive and we timed it just right to see them fly off for food

it was FREEZING (the salt water marsh was actually frozen) and this hawk just sat in the sun posing

And then back home 12/19.... and the realization that I was "home"..... and it felt good... John and Jess are leaving for NH tomorrow night so we celebrate "Family Christmas" last night... John made a delicious dinner

My friend Sandi sent me this windchime that she had made for me. Look carefully and you will see how perfect it is for a NJ girl in NC!

Dave and I are sharing Christmas Eve and then Christmas Day I fly to Ohio to spend a week with my parents and brother and his family (plus 3 cats, 2 dogs, and 3 steer in a newly built barn)..... after that I don't think I want to see an airplane for months!